This statement recently popped into my head once again as I happened to read through another of Al Mohler’s The Briefing (March 12, 2019). In this episode Dr. Mohler pointed out that there is an increasing interest in Buddhism and mindfulness here in the United States. In seeking to answer why, he cites an article in The Atlantic by Olga Kahzan in which it was stated that many Americans are wondering: “What are we to do with our minds?” Could it be that in our self-centered, entertainment-saturated culture people are finally coming to discover the glaring issue of mindlessness?
It would seem so, but with the result that many are turning to a kind of Buddhist meditation to scratch the proverbial itch. Whatever our own thoughts may be on that matter, I believe Dr. Mohler provides us a timely reminder of just what our Christian faith is like, a reminder that I hope you our dear readers may appreciate as well.
In The Briefing Dr. Mohler reminds us that Christianity (he also includes Judaism) is “theologically thick in the face,” which is to say that the Christian faith and tradition consist of specific, objective truths revealed to us in the Word of God. Our faith is not one consisting of the careful conjectures and musings of earthly men; rather our faith is established upon the Word of God since “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (1 Pet. 1:21). Ours is not a faith where we devote our minds to looking inward at ourselves, but instead consists of the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), a mind set upon the Spirit which is life and peace (Rom. 8:6).
Sadly, many churches today imagine that the only way we will ever reach our world or culture is to empty the gospel (and our preaching?) of content. From my own experience, however, I have discovered that there is a great hunger among many young people today: a hunger to learn, to know, to understand, and search out the deep things of God. While always remaining vigilant against pride, we ought to be incredibly grateful for the heritage we have received and unashamedly share it with the world. Theology is not an obstacle to the gospel, for the truth sets us free (John 8:32).
Perhaps this is an old reminder, though one we need continually to keep before us. I pray that through this magazine your hunger for Christ and the glorious teaching of God’s Word continues to grow. And I would ask that you also pray: pray that young and old would delight to give their minds to the study of God’s Word. And keep us in prayer, that as Reformed Fellowship we might faithfully encourage the use of our minds unto the praise, honor, and glory of our triune God.
Rev. Corey Dykstra is pastor of Walker URC and secretary of the board of Reformed Fellowship.